Chapter 35: Grandmother
Jiang Ruan shook her head. "You're mistaken. Our Jiang family has an excellent reputation in the capital, and we must never engage in misleading actions. Even a servant should not be wrongfully accused or punished. If someone has erred, they must be disciplined strictly according to the family rules—otherwise, how can justice be upheld? If everyone were allowed to mete out punishments arbitrarily, the Jiang residence would descend into chaos. Therefore, this matter must be clarified."
"What does the Eldest Young Lady intend to do?" Sensing Jiang Ruan's firm stance, Lin Lang realized something was amiss and stopped pressing the issue, though her tone remained somewhat defiant. Just as Jiang Ruan was about to speak, she suddenly felt the weight in her arms grow heavier—Granny Zhou had fainted. Her expression darkened. "Zisu, take Granny Zhou back to my courtyard and fetch a physician immediately."
"Eldest Young Lady," Lin Lang blocked the way. "This is improper. She has yet to receive her punishment and is not a servant from your courtyard. You likely don’t have the authority for this."
"Lin Lang, do you have the authority to stand in my way?" Jiang Ruan said coldly. "Zisu, go now."
Lin Lang wanted to stop them, but when she saw the icy look in Jiang Ruan’s eyes, she froze, not daring to say another word. She could only watch as Zisu helped Granny Zhou back to Ruan Residence. Jiang Ruan regarded her calmly. "Lin Lang, there are some things I may not have the authority to decide, and perhaps even Madam doesn’t. But there is someone who certainly does."
Lin Lang stared at her blankly.
"Lin Lang, go and inform Madam. We’ll meet at Guilan Courtyard."
Guilan Courtyard was the residence of Old Madam Jiang, Jiang Quan’s legal mother. Jiang Quan had been born to a noble concubine of the Jiang family, and after the concubine’s death, he was raised under the legal mother’s care. The two shared a relationship of mutual affection and respect, and Old Madam Jiang’s status in the Jiang household was unquestionable.
In her past life, Jiang Ruan had not been familiar with the old madam. Xia Yan and Jiang Susu had often described her as eccentric, so Jiang Ruan had kept her distance. From what she could recall, Old Madam Jiang was a woman who placed great emphasis on rules. Though she had not been particularly warm toward Zhao Mei, she had severely reprimanded Jiang Quan when he became infatuated with Xia Yan and spent all his time in her courtyard after their marriage.
When Jiang Ruan had come of age in her past life, everyone had agreed that she should enter the palace in Jiang Susu’s stead—except for Old Madam Jiang. By then, however, the old madam’s health had deteriorated, and she was bedridden, so no one heeded her words.
But now, several years remained before Jiang Ruan’s coming-of-age ceremony. This was the height of Old Madam Jiang’s influence, when she still presided over major affairs in the Jiang household. Jiang Ruan wondered whether Xia Yan’s underhanded tactics would hold up under the scrutiny of the shrewd and formidable old madam in her prime.
Guilan Courtyard was located in the western part of the Jiang residence, the farthest from Jiang Ruan’s Ruan Residence. The maid who had gone to announce their arrival returned with Cai Que, Old Madam Jiang’s head maid. Cai Que was startled to see Jiang Ruan. Even when Zhao Mei had been alive, this least-favored eldest young lady had kept her distance from the old madam. Why had she come here so soon after returning to the residence?
Jiang Ruan smiled at her. "Sister Cai Que, is Grandmother still resting?"
"The old madam has already risen," Cai Que replied, setting aside her confusion and speaking amiably. "Young Lady, please follow me."
As they walked, Jiang Ruan chatted with her. "I was afraid of disturbing Grandmother’s rest, but I didn’t expect her to be so energetic, rising so early. It puts me to shame."As she spoke, one foot had already stepped over the threshold when a soothing sandalwood fragrance wafted gently to her nose. Looking ahead, she saw an elderly woman with silver hair resting on a couch, eyes closed, silently meditating with a string of prayer beads in hand.
Du Juan by Old Madam Jiang's side cast a surprised glance at Jiang Ruan and her companions. Cai Que softly announced, "Old Madam, the eldest young miss has arrived."
Old Madam Jiang remained motionless, her eyes still shut. Luzhu grew somewhat uneasy, but Jiang Ruan showed no reaction, standing calmly in place. Both Cai Que and Du Juan stood quietly to the side, neither speaking nor acknowledging Jiang Ruan, leaving her seemingly ignored.
With composed eyes, Jiang Ruan subtly observed the old madam. The Jiang matriarch appeared different from her memories—where she had once seemed merely a rigid and harsh grandmother, now every inch of her exuded wealth and dignity. Though her expression was serene, there was an inherent sharpness between her brows, revealing that this devout woman's heart didn't mirror the detachment preached in her Buddhist scriptures. Her shrewdness was likely known only to herself.
Time flowed silently in the hushed room, where even the faintest sound of a falling object would have been audible. After what seemed an age, the elderly woman on the couch slowly opened her eyes, her gaze immediately settling on Jiang Ruan.
Meeting the look with tranquil poise, Jiang Ruan stood straight and respectful. Old Madam Jiang narrowed her eyes and remarked indifferently, "Why didn't you announce yourself when you arrived? Standing there like a stone—what's the meaning of this?"
"I noticed Grandmother was in deep meditation upon entering," Jiang Ruan replied with a smile. "Meditation requires undivided attention; otherwise, it lacks sincerity. I dared not disturb you—though it seems I have done so regardless."
Old Madam Jiang shifted slightly. Du Juan hurried forward with hot tea, which the old madam accepted, taking a sip before turning to study Jiang Ruan. "You've quite the composure," she observed.
"I pale in comparison to Grandmother," Jiang Ruan said modestly. "My return to the residence yesterday was rushed, and I failed to pay my respects. That was remiss of me."
Old Madam Jiang's tone was cool. "Your return has set the capital abuzz. You must have been exhausted from yesterday's affairs—it was right not to come here."
Her ambiguous phrasing made her stance unclear. Jiang Ruan considered briefly before responding, "Regardless, Grandmother remains Grandmother—the matriarch of the Jiang family and my kin."
This answer seemed to surprise Old Madam Jiang slightly. She lowered her head to sip her tea before saying, "It's been years since I last saw you. Come closer so I may see you clearly."
Jiang Ruan obeyed, stepping forward as Cai Que and Du Juan watched from the sidelines, their eyes also appraising her. As the old madam's personal attendants, they were familiar with her temperament and had anticipated today's possible scenarios—yet none had expected this calm, composed encounter. There was no disdain or vulgarity; instead, the eldest young miss carried herself with graceful confidence, utterly devoid of timidity.Looking at the girl who had stepped forward a few paces, her body was delicate yet her back was straight as a rod. The sunlight fell upon her flawless face, accentuating her jade-like skin and eyes brimming with emotion. A pair of moist, alluring eyes carried a faint smile, exuding a gentle yet resolute aura. Most importantly, standing in the room, she showed not a trace of the timidity or awkwardness typical of a young girl—only a composed steadiness that tempered her radiant and vivacious exterior, imbuing it with an air of noble grace.
Cai Que and Du Juan exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes. How had the eldest young lady, after spending a few years in the countryside estate, changed so drastically? She now carried herself like a noble lady meticulously raised in the imperial palace.
Not only Du Juan and Cai Que, but Old Madam Jiang's gaze also faltered for a moment. Her sharp eyes bore into Jiang Ruan, yet Jiang Ruan's expression remained unshaken as she met her gaze with a faint smile. Old Madam Jiang averted her eyes and remarked coolly, "A few years older, and she's grown into herself." Her tone was indifferent, suppressing a flicker of astonishment in her heart. Having lived most of her life, she prided herself on reading people well—yet the current Jiang Ruan was a far cry from the girl of the past. Just that composure alone left Jiang Susu far behind. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of experiences Jiang Ruan had encountered at the estate. At such a young age, her presence already carried an imposing force.
(End of Chapter)
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